Ruby-throated Hummingbird

(Archilochus colubris)

Where: Richmond, VA • Glidewell Rd.

Notes: Over the last ten years of close observation of the critters that have visited my backyard birdbath, this seemed like one of the more unusual visitors. Not to diminish the beauty and excitement of the occasional spring migrant, but when I first saw this little guy of only about three inches long, hovering and them landing in the water, I was astonished. An old friend said she had one that visited her tower style fountain frequently, and even though I often had them at my feeders, I never saw one at the birdbath. Fortunately this little male came by the following couple of days at about the same time, as I hoped. By the image day I had the camera position figured out and it paid off with this shot. The addition of the water droplet on his beak was a real bonus and it only took a slight turn of his head toward the sunlight to flash a little red into his gorget. This image was eventually chosen for the 2015 iPhotoBirds Calendar cover shot and received over 17,000 likes on Facebook (SEE: RECOGNITION).

THE BIRD SPA

Birds, like all other animals, prefer habitats that meet all their basic survival needs: food, shelter and WATER! They depend on water to condition their feathers for flight, to help maintain their body temperature, for hydration, and for hygiene. A landscape with a consistent, clean running water source will attract both a greater number of species and a higher count of birds. This especially applies to the many migratory and insect-eating species too. The Bird Spa is a low maintenance water feature, designed specifically for birds. Has ATTRACTED 80 DIFFERENT SPECIES at a single location in central Virginia!
AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT EVENTS • SEE: TESTIMONIES • MORE INFO: THE BIRD SPA • SEE: VIDEOS